LEND ME YOUR EAR: PROBLEM WORDS FREQUENTLY MISUSED

No one I know claims to have mastered every word in our dictionaries. Seldom does a day go by without my consulting at least two. Some time ago, a friend asked me how I pronounced "a-f-i-c-i-o-n-a-do." This term was wholly foreign to me.

To my intense satisfaction, Harry Shaw, in his excellent "Dictionary of Problem Words and Expressions," described "aficionado" as a vogue word to be used only sparingly. Thus comforted, I saw no reason to replace "devotee" with a more pretentious-sounding term.

This time around, I hope to clarify a small number of more familiar words that are frequently used and misused. Long-time readers may recognize a few repeats. "Averse" and "adverse" are among them. Even some allegedly knowledgeable writers seem never to have heard of "averse." Many use "adverse" to cover both.

"Adverse" means unfavorable, as in "adverse" publicity or opinion. "Averse" means unwilling, as in "I am averse to substituting movies for classroom instruction." How else will children's brain cells get exercise?

But to continue with today's topic--"famous" and "notorious" are also misused by scores of speakers. "Fame" is positive. A famous person becomes so because of his remarkable contributions to society and his fellow man. The names of Martin Luther, Michelangelo, and the Pasteurs are among the first to come to mind. "Notorious" describes many who are newsworthy, but for the wrong reasons. Jack the Ripper, O.J. Simpson, and the Unabomber surely fit this category.

"Amiable" and "amicable," derived from the Latin "amo" and denoting love, are often used incorrectly. "Amiable" suggests sweetness of disposition -- being sincerely agreeable to the wishes of others. "Amicable" implies being at peace with circumstances regardless of the way others try our patience. We tolerate, but with some restraint.

"Amity" and "amenities," also derived from "amo," suffer similar misconceptions in usage. "Amenities" are qualities that render a person likable and gracious, or increase the value of a piece of property or a geographical location. "Amity" encompasses the sort of friendship the United States is expected to establish the world over -- at the expense of American lives and pocketbooks.

The distinction between "suit" and "suite" seems unknown by a host of speakers and writers. Queen Elizabeth II, on her recent visit to our country, made it clear that she would not require a "suite" of rooms for her comfort, that a room in a hotel would be sufficient. Networkers and newswriters informed us that the Queen of England had refused the offer of a "suit" of rooms. Photographs showed the queen wearing a suit, but a "suite" denotes rooms and is pronounced as if it were spelled "sweet."

Lately, the term "adamant" has become a buzz word and is buzzing around incorrectly throughout the political arena. To be "adamant" is to object firmly. Candidates for office who declare they are "adamant to" certain issues at stake mean they are reluctant to risk defeat. If you say you have not yet reached a decision, Mr. Candidate, you are waffling to save your skin.

The distinction between "criticism" and "critique" seems not to be understood by some otherwise knowledgeable professionals. A "critique" is a literary production, and the word is not used as a verb. Psychologists and guidance counselors who caution parents not to "critique" their offspring excessively would do well to avoid what strikes us as pretentious jargon.

Few educators seem to understand there is a difference between "number" and "amount." "Amount" is collective and refers to bulk, weight, or a barrel of sawdust or a bucket of sand.

The "number" of pupils per classroom is not an "amount." The number of absences from school per day reduces the amount of money allotted the school per pupil. Trusting parents, bear this in mind if your child awakens on a school morning with a severe pain in the middle, then recovers without a Tums in time to enjoy a pizza for breakfast.

Let him finish the pizza, then send him off to school on foot to remind him dishonesty does not pay.

~Aileen Lorberg is a language columnist for the Southeast Missourian.